Chris Christie Opposes Restrictions on Care for Trans Youth

At least one Republican running for president has come out against bans on gender-affirming health care for minors — at least mostly.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper said such restrictions actually interfere with parents’ rights.

Tapper noted Christie as Governor had signed protections into law for trans patients. He asked what he thought about many Republican governors imposing new restrictions.

“What I believe we should be focused on most importantly in these issues is making sure there is parental involvement at every step along the way,” Christie said. “I don’t think that the government should ever be stepping into the place of the parents in helping to move their children through a process where those children are confused or concerned about their gender.”

This comes during a rise in legislative activity by conservatives in red states to severely restrict access to health care for transgender patients, particularly those under the age of 18.

In Texas, GOP Gov. Greg Abbott has tried to treat parents providing transgender care to minors as “child abuse.” In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis, one of Christie’s opponents for the Republican nomination for president, signed a law threatening medical credentials for doctors providing care. They are two of about 20 states that have restricted gender-affirming care.

Christie said states should not go after families trying to provide the best options for children. But he did suggest there should be requirements of parental consent when it comes to gender-affirming care.

“I just would say that parents are the people who are best positioned to make these judgments,” Christie said. “So what I’d like to make sure the state does is require that parents be involved in these decisions…Folks under the age of 18 should have parental support and guidance and love as they make all of the key decisions of their life, and this should not be one that’s excluded by the government in any way.”